Cinnamomum camphora or Camphor Tree is an evergreen tree variety known as Alcanfor, camphor laurel, camphorwood, Camphora, Camphre de Laurier, Camphre Gomme, etc.

Habitat of Camphor Tree

The Cinnamomum camphora is indigenous to the hotter regions of Eastern Asia. However, the Camphor tree has readjusted to grow in dry soils and can now be located on most continents in humid and dry climates. It develops suitable in sandy soils that have a pH range of 4.3 to 4.8. This plant is planted commercially in Japan and China as a therapeutic tree. It has also been extensively produced in different subtropics, including warm temperate parts1.

Description of Camphor Tree

Camphor tree habitually stretches from 10 to 40 meters tall and has a diameter of approximately 3 meters. The bark is brown and yellow and has vertical fissures. The leaves have a waxy and glossy look. The odor of Camphor will be noted when mashed. The leaves have three to several different nerves. In spring, it displays bright green foliage with sections of small bisexual white flowers. The fruit is round, fleshy, and one-seeded, around 0.39 inches (1 cm) in diameter. It changed to purple-black color at maturity.

 

Part used

The barks and wood of the camphor tree are used for medicinal purposes by distilling. 

 

Traditional Uses and benefits of Camphor Tree

Camphor is a well-known natural remedy and is also used in various traditional medicines. The Camphor is likely to excite nerve ends that reduce symptoms like itching or pain when employed to the skin.

  1. Camphor is useful for most adults when inhaled as the vapor from rubs applied to the chest. It is FDA-approved2 as a chest rub. 
  2. The Camphor is also an FDA-approved painkiller when applied externally on the skin.
  3. It can decrease the severity of indications of osteoarthritis.
  4. By using Camphor along with eucalyptus oil and menthol helps to diminish the dimension of insect bites.
  5. The mixture of Camphor, menthol, and lemon eucalyptus oil to the toenail area might improve healing toenail fungus.

 

Dosage and Precautions

  1. For pain: 3-11% ointment is customarily applied 3 to 4 times daily.
  2. Cough: A dense layer of 4.7%-5.3% camphor ointment is employed to the chest and throat.
  3. Skin itching: 3-11% ointment is applied 3-4 times regularly.
  4. For osteoarthritis: A cream comprising camphor (32 mg/gram), chondroitin sulfate (50 mg/gram), glucosamine sulfate (30 mg/gram), peppermint oil (9mg/gram), and shark cartilage (140mg/gram) is employed on sore joints for approximately eight weeks.

 

Toxicity

The Cinnamomum camphora is toxic. When ingested can cause confusion, seizures, neuromuscular hyperactivity, and irritability. The fatal dose for humans is recorded to be 50 to 500 mg/kg body-weight.

 

Warning

If the camphor products are heated in the microwave, they will explode and cause critical traumas. This plant is harmful when administered in large volumes. Never use Camphor products to injured and broken skin. The wood and essential oil can provoke eye irritation, while massive doses of the essential oil can result in a respiratory malfunction in children. Administering Camphor by mouth is not safe during breastfeeding and pregnancy. 

DISCLAIMER

The content and information on newerapost for information and educational purposes only. It is not for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. The content is not a medical manual. Before beginning the use of any prescription, medication and pursuing any self-treatment, all readers should consult a physician.

The information given in this article is intended to help you make informed decisions for your health. You must consult with your doctor before pursuing any natural remedies if you are under care for any health condition.

Do not take any vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other supplements without consulting your doctor, if you are taking any medication. The website does not make a representation, express or implied, regarding the accuracy of the information and does not accept any single responsibility for any errors or misuse.

 

Reference

  1. Warm temperate parts: Retrieved from the theferns.info website.

http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cinnamomum+camphora

  1. FDA-approved: Retrieved from the webmd.com website.

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-709/camphor

  1. Dosage and Precautions: Retrieved from the rxlist.com website.

https://www.rxlist.com/camphor/supplements.htm